My Entry in XxXLost-In-The-CrowdXxX contest.

Topic – Injury

Story Type – Short Story (Three-shot(s))

Title – Wounds Of My Heart

Rating – M (For disturbing scenes and lemons)

A/N – My first entry for a contest! Things are a little complicated since I'm the Queen of Procrastination and decided to write this and the other two at last minute. Not sure when I'm to post the other two chapters since the third isn't done and my original goal was to post each every day for three days. But it's almost the time limit so I can't be sure if that'll go the way I planned… Either way enjoy this chapter.

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_Wounds Of My Heart_

Part I

A meeting to Remember

She came in at least once every other week, it was always the same.

She'd come in, walking usually, and she'd have bruises covering her body, along with cuts, scrapes and other injuries. A sprained or broken bone will typically be there too.

The nurses worry, at first it was just a normal patient. The second time, a coincidence, and the third – something's wrong. And from my knowledge it's been six times, now being lucky number seven. She came in late at night, as usual, limping with her leg twisted at an odd angle. The nurse seen her and called out "Rose's here!" The other nurses only shook their heads and pulled out the wheel chair and got the batter girl into her usual room.

"What's it this time?" One of the nurses, Lissa, asked. Roza only shrugs, the simple motion causing pain, evident on her beautiful face.

"Uhm, some skate boarding accident." She said another lame excuse that no one bought. For several reasons, one was because no skate boarding will cause that much injury unless it's some extreme skateboarding. Plus she didn't peg me as the skating type. The wheel her out of my sight but I could still hear them from where I was standing, a few hallways down. I tuned out all the noise of the chaotic hospital and only listened to her.

They changed their topic to normal nurse-patient talk, like Lissa taking Roza through the process of fixing what's broken. Rose knew the drill.

I take my attention away from her, but it's hard. She's pretty much in my head all day and night. My darkest dreams have her beautiful face in them, how I'm usually laying with her, making sweet love to her. I wake into darkness to recognize it's only a dream, bitter disappointment.

I guess I should bring things to the start, how I first laid sights on the battered girl that haunted my very existence. It was a few months ago, cloudy night that one of the rookie vampires decided to go a little senseless with its new found powers. Jesse, end up killing three strippers and amateur prostitutes that was on the outskirts of town, leaving their bodies in the open for anyone to see. It was late and they were whores, no one really cared but a random driver crossed their bodies and called in immediately. They were brought to the morgue, one whore barely hanging on – only to die later.

This raised questions from the puny humans. I, of course being the leader, had to take care of this. After 'handling' Jesse (which meant kicking his ass) I headed to the hospital to find the girl in the hospital bed. I needed her dead, I could have always used compulsion for her to forget but the girl was dying anyways. I quickly ended her suffering only to cause more trouble within paradise.

The doctors were already bewildered over the other two deaths, having bite marks in their necks and all blood drained can rise suspension. I handled it with compulsion, leaving me awfully tired. I may be a powerful vampire, but after erasing the memories of half the doctors and a few arrogant police men, there is only so much one can take.

I, unlike my fellow counterparts, was careful who I picked for my evening meals. Since the ordeal with the three girls I needed to be wary of how I obtained said meal. After consideration I ruled off killing, simply because the small town couldn't take four deaths in one night, so a simple 'sampling' would suffice.

I was leaving the hospital, and I smelt blood – lots of it. It wasn't from the hospital or any ambulances because the drive-way was clear. The scent was coming just beyond the corner; the smell was quickly followed with the sound of moaning, and not the pleasurable kind.

That's when I saw her.

Limping into my sight, she was a battered beauty. Even in the poor light of the street lamp I could make out every beautiful feature. Her dark brown hair, sticking to her face and matted with blood and sweat. Her brown eyes concentrated on her foot work which consisted of moving one in front of the other and not falling over. With the limp she was carrying it was easier said than done.

I walk up to her; she immediately goes on defensive and ends up falling over on the hard concrete. "Don't touch me." She said her voice raspy. I withdrawal my outstretched hand, my attempt of helping her.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to help." I said. "You seem like you need it."

"You think?" She bits back as she tries to stand again. This time I go for it, helping the beautiful woman stand up right. Knowing that I wasn't going to hurt her she gave me a muffled thanks.

"Want me to walk you to the hospital door, I assume that's where you heading, yes?" She looks at me funny, almost as if detecting something off about me. I like that the girl was intuitive.

"I can do that on my own." She said, being stubborn but smart. She gently gets out of my grasp, gives me a quick look before walking towards the hospital. She doesn't make it a step before I take her arm, gently and yank her back. Not fully understanding what happens, she screams anyways. I silence her with a bite.

I grip her body close to mine, her warmth pressing against my cold skin. My fangs dig into her skin, immediately getting what I desired. Her blood, warm and sweet – unlike her personality. After a few seconds I release reluctantly. My intent is not to kill her, only to sample. Her body slumps against mine. Her already fragile self only more weak with the blood loss. I briefly wonder how she obtained the injuries in the first place…

It's not my place to ask, so I just cradle her in my arms and take her to the hospital.

Lissa, who happen to see me outside already, has a wheelchair waiting. "Why'd you beat her?" She asked as she beckoned a few nurses over, I only have a few seconds before they come so I answer quickly.

"I didn't, just took a little taste." And what a taste it was. I look down at the girl and lean in and whisper into her ear. "You'll remember nothing." I said, even in her unconscious stage the message will go through. If not, Lissa will back me up. Lissa knew of the underground of the town, by dating Christian Ozera, fellow vampire of mine. Lissa gives me a suspicious look but can't ask question because her co-workers circle the girl.

I simply slip away, going back into the night.

Several months later, here I am again. I've been getting details on Roza, from Lissa. One is that she's only twenty years old and a high school dropout and suffered a stillbirth shortly afterwards. She moved here four years ago. I usually knew everything that happened here, I'm surprised that I haven't noticed her for four years. Even though Lissa has gotten this information from Rose, she still doesn't know why Rose is always coming in beaten and bruises. Lissa suspects some type of abuse, but Rose never mentioned having a boyfriend or husband.

Lissa, being the caring person she is wants me to investigate. She wants me to follow Rose home when she's discharged. Which I'm more than happy to, ever since I tasted her blood I couldn't get enough and even though we never have conversations, I'm itching to speak to her again.

_Wounds Of My Heart_

"Now, get lots of rest." Lissa said giving me some painkillers. "I like you, but I'm tired of seeing your face here." She joked. I cracked a smile even though I didn't find it all funny, I hate hospitals but as long as I'm here – I'm not there and no one besides Lissa actually gave a damn, which makes it feel almost…homey. When a hospital feels like a home, that's when you know your life is really shitty.

"Do you have anyone to pick you up?" She asked. I nodded, for the first time since I've been making my stops. An old friend from Florida, Mia, was picking me up. I gave her a lie saying I fell down the stairs. She was a little on the dumb side and believed it quickly, plus it's not like she sees me every day. The last time I saw Mia was when I was still living in Florida, which was years ago.

"Who?" She asked while writing something on her clipboard.

"An old friend." I answered. I wheeled myself to the vending machine, making a face when all I saw were healthy snacks. "Ugh, Lissa please tell your bosses to fill the machines with something other than Veggie Junk." I said. Lissa laughs, it sounding musical.

"I'll make a note." She said. "I usually sneak out the Seven-Eleven across the street whenever I'm feeling famished, those snow balls hit the spot." I smile, liking that I have some common ground with one of the nurses. They were all sweet and nice, but Lissa was more like a friend than a nurse – even though she did her job perfectly. She's always full of smiles and jokes.

I looked over to the doors to see a small perky blond come through the door, going straight to the desk. "That's her." I said to Lissa who looked over at Mia. The nurse at the desk pointed in my direction and when Mia turned to see me she came at me full force.

"Rose!" She cried and hugged me, but being gentle with my injuries. "I've missed you so much!" She said. I awkwardly hugged her back, but it was difficult because I was sitting.

"You to Mia." I said and when she finally pulled back I seen the tears shimmering in her blue eyes. I wasn't the emotional type so the tears didn't come. Mia easily launched into a conversation on everything that's happened in Florida since I've been away which was a long time. It mainly consisted of all my friends going to college and getting on with their lives.

Mia helped me into the car with my crutches. Seeing the inside I knew Mia was having fun with college life, the car had empty chip bags, empty pop cans along with lots of candy wrappers and it also smelt like sex.

"Nice car, Mia." I said sarcastically. She just nods with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, my sorority sisters use it a lot, so, that's that." She said. "Can't believe its junior year. By this time in two years I'll be a college graduate." She squealed happily. I smile, even though it was forced. I hated that I didn't have the college experience, and having Mia go on and on about college only made me more depressed.

I dropped out in the middle of high school, I was dating Adrian man-whore-playboy Ivashkov, gave him the V-card and in the middle of the summer found out I had a bun in the oven. My parent's plan was to have me get an abortion; I just couldn't go through with it. Somehow, since no one besides Adrian loved me (my parents saw me as just another opportunity) I wanted someone else, someone just like me – my baby. Adrian thought the same, so with a suit case full of cash and heads full of naïve thoughts we packed our bags and moved…far, far away to a remote town in Montana. I, at the time, didn't care that I was a drop-out, Adrian was rich and would support all three of us.

That bubble popped when I gave birth to a dead baby. I never told Mia, or any of my other friends that I was even pregnant. Only people who knew were my parents and Adrian, and I didn't even fill my parents on the fact that I wasn't pregnant anymore. I once told Lissa, just to get it off my chest. She isn't the type to judge.

The stress of life eventually got to me, the baby slowly made me go slightly insane. Every time I think of babies, see a baby or hear crying I get into this deep dark depression that'll engulf me for the rest of that day. It's been four years, and it's like it happened yesterday. The fact that Adrian also turned into an abusive jerk, helped none.

I don't know what switched, maybe it was always there and I didn't see the signs but all I know is that Adrian's kicking my ass every chance he gets. He was always possessive, scary possessive. He could be a total jackass at times as well, talking down to me all that. Stupid naïve me. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Now I'm a drop-out, no family, no one really cares – Mia doesn't count, and no future.

Just perfect.

I look out into the night sky, the stars hung above like diamonds. I loved that I could see them so clearly at night here, it was beyond beautiful. I tried to drown out Mia's rambling, occasionally saying 'Yeah' and 'That's cool' just to let her know I was listening – or at least giving the illusion as such. When we pulled up to Adrian and I's modest house I felt nothing but fear as I saw him standing on the porch, looking out into the night – probably for me.

"God, Adrian only got yummier with age." Mia said while looking at Adrian, who has yet to notice us. I knew Mia has a crush on Adrian, Mia once told me last year, through email, that her and Adrian had sex during homecoming several times and she said and I quote 'the guilt was eating me alive and I'm super, duper sorry.' Smiley faces at the end, along with the words forgive me. I didn't care. It was ancient history, plus I didn't love Adrian anymore, or maybe I never did…

"Mia Rinaldi?" Adrian asked when she stepped out of the car. I helped myself out, even with the broken leg. He walked down the few steps and pulled Mia into a hug. I couldn't help but notice that he went a little low on the hug.

"It's me Ivashkov, miss me?" She asked. He nodded with a broad smile.

"Yes, things been boring over here." He said, shooting me a glance. "I didn't know you were coming, Rose didn't tell me." He said, his voice dropping when he said the last part.

"I wrote it on the calendar and reminded you daily." I shot back, but regretted it when I saw the glare he gave me. I'm already broken. He simply gave his attention back to Mia.

"How long will you be here?" He asked as he put his arm over her shoulder and lead her inside.

"I'm just passing through, one night at most." She said as they entered the house. I glared at their backs and I struggled to make it up the steps to the door. I looked behind me, some eerie feeling creeping up on me; I shrugged it off and closed the door.

"Rose, you should rest." Adrian said. I tried to raise a brow, failing miserably. He gently helped me up the stairs, each step agonizing yet I didn't complain. Once we reached our bedroom, he laid me on the bed and took the crutches away. I slipped off my clothes till I was in my underwear, I wanted to hang out more with Mia but sleepiness was dominate.

After putting my crutches across the room he came to me and sat at the end of the bed. "Don't tell Mia, or you'll regret it – okay?" He asked, his eyes boring into mine, he also elaborated the point my squeezing on my cast, causing pain to shoot up my leg. I bit my lip and nod. His hard face then falls; he smiles and kisses me on the forehead. "Night, sweetheart."

As I was sprawled over the bed, the throbbing in my leg got worse. It was late, the clock on the nightstand read a little past midnight. I quickly remember the pills Lissa gave me, which were in my jeans somewhere in the room. I groaned and sat up, trying to not disturb my already painful body. I blindly look for the lamp and switch it on, the small light illuminating the room. I spotted my jeans half way across the room, along with my crutches on the other side. I look beside me, just realizing that the bed was just me in it.

Adrian always slept with me, mainly to make sure I don't 'go anywhere'. Not that I minded that he wasn't here tonight. Actually, it was a bit of relief.

I flipped the covers off, letting the cool air hit my body. I used my good leg to step off the bed and held onto the end table to make up for the fact that I couldn't use one. I hop along till I could reach down and grab them. Snatching the clothing from the floor I dig in my pockets till I get the orange bottle of pills. Briefly skimming over the label I knew I should take water with these. I groaned and took my crutches and went to the closet to get a short, skimpy silk robe that Adrian bought me, never liked it but it was all I had at the moment.

I stuffed the pills in one of the pockets and took my crutches and walked out the door. In the hall it was dark; the window down the hall was open, with the dark curtains flowing in the wind, leaving the hallway quite chilly.

"Damn Adrian, he should keep-" My whispered ranting was stopped when I heard the soft sound of moaning, coming from the door right across from our bedroom, first used as a study then converted into a guest room, simply because.

"Adrian…" A female voice moaned, "Right there, oh, yes…" The moans followed with some sort of banging. It took only seconds to put two and two together. Adrian and Mia, having sex. I glared at the door, almost as if staring at it long enough would melt it. Not that I wanted to see what was on the other side. I can't say I'm awfully hurt, by Mia, not Adrian. What happen to being 'super-duper sorry'? Obviously that dropped like Mia's panties.

_Wounds Of My Heart_

I watch from the second floor window. I don't feel like a stalker, no, not at all. Simply observing the interaction between my 'best friend' and longtime boyfriend. I said my good-byes to Mia moments earlier, giving her a quick hug and tried to hide my disgust. She probably was doing the same.

It was late morning; right before twelve and the sun was out shining on the small town. It was quiet today, at least in my neck of the woods. To anyone else they may seem as if they were just talking casually. But even from up here, I could see the sultry look in Mia's eyes as her eyes occasionally ran up Adrian's body, probably replaying last night or undressing him for the heated moments to come. Adrian's back was towards me but I'm pretty sure he mirrored her. After a few minutes they both look in different directions, to make sure the coast is clear, before leaving a wet one on each other. The kiss last for only a second before they break away.

Mia waves good-bye as she walks in her car and Adrian walks back in the house. I guess I should expect another email of her apologies soon, or not. I lay back on the bed, standing and spying at the two took a lot out of me. Even though I'm not upset about the union, it is a little damaging to one's self esteem.

Soon after I hear Adrian's footsteps coming up the steps and soon through the bedroom door. He looks at me, his face hard and emotionless. It was astonishing how he could flip his emotions. "Rose, I'm having several guests here tonight. Make sure you're presentable." He said and just before he was about to walk out I stopped him.

"From your work?" I asked I wanted to make sure it wasn't a bunch of whores who he 'passed off' as executives for another company. The dinner was more or less foreplay and then the bunch had a four-some in our bedroom. I grew sick just thinking of the damp sheets I had to wash afterwards and the smell of sex didn't leave for a few weeks.

"No, uhm, their more important than that…one's that girl from the hospital. I suspect you know her, considering how often you land yourself there." Because of you! I wanted to scream. "Make sure to clean the house and make yourself look pretty." He leaves after that, goes into town doing god knows what. I spend most of the day cleaning.

I vacuum the living room carpet, mop the floors so they look glossy, just the way Adrian likes it. I brushed off the lint on the couch, cleaned the glass table to make it spotless and cleaned the sheets in the bedrooms. All why having a sore broken leg.

I wonder why Adrian didn't want me to cook dinner, granted I'm not much of a cook but he had me do it when his tramps were here. Maybe there only staying for a little while…

When Adrian comes home and sees my battered form from working around the house, he demands me to get cleaned up.

I once again drag myself up the steps, going to the guestroom to get dressed. I take a shower to wash all of the dirt and sweat off me, mindful of my cast. The hot water relaxes me to some extent, but I'm still pretty winded up. Going into me and Adrian's bedroom I take out a red dress. Its spaghetti straps, the top half hugging under my breast. The rest of the dress flows down, it's very loose and has the perfect balance of casual and formal.

I brushed a comb through my hair, making it look as straight as possible. I stuck some diamond earrings in my ears, flashy just to show his guest that Adrian has money, I'm like his walking billboard. Once I was satisfied with my look, I gaze down at my bulky cast. "Damn, Adrian." I cursed. It threw my whole outfit out of whack; it was bulky and pasty white. I looked around the room and noticed a few markers on the computer desk. I looked through and found a red sharpie. Perfect. Going to the bed, I propped my leg up and started drawing.

It was a difficult task, considering that I didn't want the print to be up-side-down. So I drew small things, such as some hearts, my name – several times, and a few other mindless drawings such as stick figures. Once I was satisfied I seen a little spot that I left unnoticed. The pointed pen seemed to have a mind of its own, drawing what I wanted the most. Seconds later a small little baby was drawn, well a fetus technically. I put a small heart next to it, and the name 'Alice' what I planned to name her. "Mommy loves you baby girl." I said and blow a kiss to the drawing. I flick then sharpie somewhere else in the room and get my crutches to stand up. Just as I do I hear the sound of the doorbell.

_Wounds Of My Heart_

I angrily grip the steering wheel. I could feel the leather crumbling in my iron grip. Anger pulsed through me as I watched the vile low life greet Christian and Lissa at the door. His smile so wide and fake, maybe it's genuine, he does want to impress the two. Knowing they have high influence on the decision I'll make tonight.

"Where is the master?" I heard Mr. Ivashkov ask as he ushered the couple in.

"You shouldn't mettle in human affairs." Tasha said before beside me. Her hand rested on my upper thigh, gently squeezing. I knew how Tasha felt about this, she overheard Lissa talking to Christian about it. She hated when I showed favor in yet another woman. Tasha was my 'wife' and so were three other ladies. I mainly use the term to describe the women that followed me like lost dogs and I frequently 'enjoyed' several times a day. Tasha was the clingiest. She was also the prettiest.

But she paled in comparison the beauty awaiting, if I could ever – wait that's it!

"I found the perfect solution." I smiled and looked over at the door, which was left open a crack for me. I could vaguely hear the ongoing conversations inside. By this I won't kill the boy, but I'd make his eternal life a living hell. "Come, Tasha." I said and got out of the car, gently closing door. Tasha got out, straightened her incredibly short dress before taking my arm and both of us walking inside.

Inside looked like a normal 21 century family home. It had the warm feeling to it, with the brown walls, carpet and a few photos hung on the walls. One caught my attention. It had to be taken a while ago; in the photo the couple looked younger. Not by much but younger.

In the photo Roza was obviously pregnant, her shirt buddle up on top of her enlarge stomach. Her face was down but I could see the smile on her beautiful lips. The creature was behind her, smiling over her shoulder while his hands were on her belly, making a heart with his fingers. They looked happy, but looks are deceiving…

"Welcome, Master." Adrian said while coming to us. I could hear his frightened heartbeat, yet the look in his eyes was that of worship. I'll never understand humans. "Natasha, pleasure to see you again." He said and kissed her pale hand. Tasha smiled.

"Pleasure is mine, Mr. Ivashkov." She answers with a fang-filled smile. From a quick look into his small mind I could tell that he thought Natasha as a beautiful woman one that we wanted nothing more than to fuck. I hid my disgust as much as possible. Adrian shows us into the living room where I hear Christian laughing. Wait, Christian laughing? Usually that's because something horrible is happening to someone else. He took a wicked delight in the misfortune of others; luckily his girlfriend was able to tame him, as much as possible anyways.

I take in the scene before me, Christian leaning against the wall, head tilted back, roaring with laughter. Lissa, his girlfriend was cracking up as well, her hand on her stomach to steady herself. Then I see her, her back turned to me. She was sitting on the sofa next to Lissa, her leg propped up on a throw pillow, something Lissa probably made her do. Her long dark hair falling in waves down her back and slender waist. All I wanted was to grab her and show her how it is to be with a real man instead of this small boy.

"Ah, Adrian there you are." Christian said after his laughter died down. "You didn't tell us how much of an entertainer your woman is."

"Told ya, the girl can handle her sarcasm. Tops one up on you, right Christian?" Lissa playfully taunts.

Christian scoffs "I don't know about that…" He mutters.

"I find it hard to believe one can outwit my darling brother." Tasha said speaking up. Roza turns to look at her, her beautiful face seemed suspicious. I just love how intuitive she is, now how come that didn't work out when picking that idiot as a companion. I brief into her mind as well, finding her walls harder to break through due to her more complex thoughts. All she is wondering what exactly are we doing here.

"I presume your Adrian's girlfriend." Tasha said her voice hard and cold. Unless talking to me or her brother it's usually always this way. Especially to strangers and people she has distasted. After hearing me going on and on about the mysterious girl I already knew she made an enemy.

"You presume correctly." Roza said, her voice sounding stronger now that she wasn't battered and bruised like I usually see her. Excluding the broken leg. "I'm Rose." We all know that my dear Roza.

Roza then looks over at me, her eyes gazes on me a little longer than necessary before drifting back to Lissa. I try my hardest to hide the smiles, her thoughts saying all. She thinks I was incredibly handsome, mysterious and brooding. She also didn't trust guys that looked to good but all she wanted was to stare at me. She didn't simply because it would be rude, if only she knew I didn't mind…

"Okay, everyone's here." Adrian said stepping into the room. "I'll go get dinner." Vampires can eat regular food, it taste horrible to us, pales in comparison to blood. The humans who try to join the coven are desperate enough to bag their own blood, family members and sometimes they sacrificed strangers on the street. Wonder what this idiot had in store.

I didn't have to guess for long, I smelt the blood before I saw them. I also sensed Roza's confusion; she didn't make anything for us. Several minutes later I could hear the moaning of the victims, three from the heartbeats I could detect. The two humans hear it moments later it, this doesn't surprise Lissa – she's seen it many times before. Because of this she tries to distract Rose.

"Hey Rose, can you give me a tour?" Asked Lissa. She was trying too hard but she loved Rose and wanted to shield her from the dark world.

"I thought you said no walking on my leg." Rose pointed out, jokingly. Lissa laughs nervously and just as she's about to say something else, they come into view. Three young women, from the looks probably in their late teens. They were battered and bruised and almost naked, only shreds of clothes were on. Adrian dragged them by ropes that were tied around their wrist, which were bleeding due to the harsh material rubbing against it. The girls were dragged on the floor, trying to wiggle out of Adrian's hold. All three of them cried and screamed.

"Please don't kill us." One blond girl cried to Adrian. He simply smirks down at the girls.

"I'm not gonna kill you." He said, tying the rope around the coffee table.

"Adrian!" Screams Rose, looking horrified by the scene. Confusion closed through her brown eyes. She tries to get up but Lissa grabs onto her shoulders and pulls her back down.

"Don't worry, Rose. Everything is fine." Lissa soothes her voice shaky as well. Rose shrugs Lissa away and looks over to Adrian, with disgust.

"What are you doing?" She inquiries, her voice trembling. "Who are these girls?" Roza rambles off a few more questions, till Adrian silences her.

"Rose, this has nothing to do with you. Pay no attention to these ladies." Adrian said his voice cold. He turns to us, friendliness in his features. "Hope you all enjoy these meals." Tasha smirks over at Adrian.

"Don't have to tell me twice." She said and saunters over to the trembling girls. She yanks one away, breaking the rope confining her. The girl looks the youngest of the three; her dark green eyes were filled with tears and fear. Once Tasha gets her hands on her, she breaks into blood curling screams. As a vampire, it just fuels my desire. A scream soon joins her, one that isn't so pleasurable. Rose's scream. I look past Tasha to see Rose go full on panic.

"Please, I'll do anything, just don't…please don't." The girl pleads, tears running down her eyes. Tasha heard it all before and rolls her eyes before sinking her fangs onto her neck. Rose screams louder, along with the two remaining girls.

Adrian, annoyed, stomps over to Rose and slaps her across her cheek, leaving a red angry mark on her beautiful face. "Stop this Rose!" He said and grabbed her arm, yanking her upright. She immediately fell back down, cutting her head on the coffee table edge. The smell of her blood drifting through the air. A growl grew in my throat, the smell was divine. I'd rather have her as a meal than the others. Adrian yanked her back up roughly, her cries ignored. Lissa quickly yells at him, the sound drowned out by the two girls screaming for their lives.

"Shut them up, I can't think straight with all this screaming!" I yell at Christian. Tasha drops the body of the dead girl and she falls down on to the glass table, sending shards around us. This helps one of the girls get free, grabbing a shard and plunging it into Tasha's leg.

Tasha is only annoyed. She yanks the shard out and before the girl could react the shard is gored into her eye, the girl is killed immediately. This only causes Rose to get even more hysterical. All I want to do is sooth her and make her fears go away. I go over to her, push Adrian away. "I got this." I tell him and pick her up. She struggles in my arms, screaming at me to go away. Lissa shoots me a look, afraid I'll use Rose as a meal instead.

I take her up stairs, her screaming and hitting me the whole way. "Let go of me!" She cries. I open a random door. Inside was a bedroom, I close the door shut with my foot blocking out the screams of the last remaining girl. I lay Roza carefully down on the bed; she immediately tries to crawl away but I grab her by her shoulders and sit her back down.

"I'm not gonna hurt you." I tell her softly. "You don't have to fear me."

"Yeah? Like your psycho girlfriend didn't 'hurt' those two girls?" She spat, she looked angry but I could see the undeniable fear behind those eyes. "They're dead because of her."

"They're dead because your boyfriend brought them here." I said harshly. She flinches, and I immediately regret it. I move to the foot on the bed and look over at her. "I'm sure you want answers to what's happened." She looks at me cautiously, folding her arms over her chest. In her mind that being some protection. She gives a slight nod, and I continue.

"Adrian, he came to my coven several months ago." I begin. "The story goes that he was attacked by one of my members and due to excessive amount of begging, the member threw mercy on him. He brought him to the coven, where he learned of our kind." I look over to see how Rose was reacting, her face stayed neutral. I continued.

"He seemed promising at the time, I put him through several test to see whether he can join us or not. He passed with flying colors, and tonight was supposed to be the night of where he gives us a gift – those women downstairs, and we bring him the coven where we'd turn him and introduce him to the members."

I wait to see her reaction once more, she seemed slowly coming to terms, the shock will eventually wear off. "What exactly is your kind?" She asked slowly. "Not human, I assume."

"You assume correctly." I state. "We're vampires, as you observed with Natasha."

She's quiet once more but with a read of her mind, I can sense her thoughts going everywhere. Her main thought was how she wished the member had killed her pathetic excuse of a boyfriend. She also felt deep sorrow for the three women down stairs and anger towards Natasha and Adrian. Her thoughts then drifted over to Christian and Lissa, I knew her question before she asked.

"Lissa, she's a vampire?" She asked, her thoughts grew fearful at the thought of the one person she trusted being a 'blood sucking beast'. I shake my head.

"Lissa is human, for the time being. Her boyfriend is a vampire and my second in command." I explain.

"Why you say 'for the time being'?" She asked.

I hesitate before answering. Maybe that's something Lissa wants to discuss. Or it could be that it'll hurt Rose, knowing how she lost her child. "She's turning after giving birth to her second born." I tell her.

"She's pregnant?" She asked her voice softer. I shake my head.

"No, but she's trying for another. She already has a son of two years." Rose thinks back to the moments when she spent time with Lissa. Lissa never got to personal, only mentioning having a boyfriend, she never mentioned kids. Most of their conversations weren't personal, mostly trivial matters. Like discussing the best nail polish.

"How can she have a baby with a vampire?" Rose asked her voice faintly bitter.

"It's possible, a hybrid of sorts. It's fairly easy to conceive them." I explain. Rose stays calm through all of this. I still believe she may go over any time soon.

"Are you going to turn him?" She asked. I move over to the opposite side of the bed and lay beside her. She stiffens with me near her but otherwise makes no move.

"Yes, I am." I told her calmly. She looks over to me, tears brimming in her brown fearful eyes. Words are on her lips but I immediately attach my lips to hers, no longer able to resist. Her lips tasted sweet and were warm against mine. I brush my fang against her bottom lip causing her to slightly shiver in the pleasurable sense. She pulls away and glares at me.

"What the hell?" She asked, slightly breathless. She scoots away from me a little bit. Unconsciously her fingers go to her swollen lips, and the ghost of a smile is placed there. She realizes what she's doing and quickly puts her hand down and her face goes hard.

"Don't deny that you enjoyed it." I tell her. "Trust me, I know. I'm a mind reader." She glares and me and mumbles something about privacy.

"I don't even know you're name." She whispers.

"Dimitri Belikov." I answer quickly. Names seemed so trivial, though. She gives me a sideways glance, her hair fanning over her face.

"It fits." She said with a small smile. "How old are you?"

I raise a brow. "You're a curious one, aren't you?" I tease and she merely shrugs. "The number may scare you."

"Numbers only scare me when I have to multiply them with other numbers." She grumbles. I can tell she thinks low of herself due to the fact that she never graduated, and was doing poorly in school before then. Adrian must also make her feel insignificant, something she's far from. I don't need mind reading to know this; I can see it in her eyes.

"You're not as unintelligent as you may believe." I said, gently holding her hand. She doesn't pull away, or even acknowledges it's there.

"Sure feels that way." She whispers. "But enough about me, you still haven't told me your age."

Subtle, Roza, subtle…

"Well, I was born on the night of Vladimir the Great's coronation." I said but all she gives me is a blank stare. "He was a Grand Prince of Russia."

"You can say he was prince and all but I still don't know anything about Russian history, not exactly my favorite subject." She explains.

"And what might your favorite subject be?" I asked, curious to know more of her. She only revealed so much to Lissa, and now no walls were up. I wanted to learn everything about this magnificent creature, even the inconsequential things.

"Sleeping in Bio." She jokes. "But besides that I liked learning about Animal Behavior. In many ways humans, and vampires, are just like animals."

"I couldn't agree more." I said. And for the first time since I've been here she gives me a full blown smile, or at least half one. I can tell it's been a while since she's smiled; she looks beautiful while doing it. I'll make it my job to have her smile more, perchance get her to laugh more as well.

My eyes drift down to her leg, where her large cast is. I'm careful not to clench my fist in anger. Seeing the damage he's done to her only brings back horrible and ancient memories of my human life. I release the anger and pay more attention to the small little drawings Rose drew on the cast. Most were stick fingers and her name written over again but one stuck out.

"You were to name your daughter, Alice?" I asked. I look over to Rose to see her staring down at the drawing, as if staring at it long enough will produce her dead child. She nods but doesn't say anything else. Several more moments we're engulfed in silence and I once again break it. "Do you want another child?" I asked.

She turns to me, looks at me cautiously. "Aren't we getting a little too personal? No offense but I just met you."

"None taken, since it's the truth." I answer. "But you Roza, I have known for quite a while. Many mouths actually." I could sense fear roll off in waves. She tries to maintain it, as if showing fear means there is no actual fear.

"I first spotted you outside the hospital, the first time you came there. Beaten and bruised, but still a true beauty." I get closer to her and she looks me in the eyes, behind them I can sense her insecurity and fear. "We even had a small conversation, only a few words exchanged." I explain as I brush some of her hair away from her face and behind her ear.

"Do you want to know what we did after?" I whispered as I leaned in to let my fangs gently scrap against her smooth neck. I could hear her pulse thumping, the sweet blood being carried away. I suppress a growl, it took all my strength not to just have her now.

"You bit me?" She asked, her voice seemed…lustful? I tenderly kiss her neck, her body tenses up in anticipation and her breath catches. I couldn't help the smile that graces my lips. I place anther kiss on her neck and pull back, feeling smug.

"Why don't I remember?"

"Because I made you forget." I said indifferently. "Does that disturb you?"

She didn't miss a beat with answering. "Yes, it does, actually. I want to remember everything, only forget what nature allows. Not forget because some sexy vampire wanted me as a midnight snack." She said bitterly and moves away from me, which puts her on the edge of the bed but some distance between us.

"Are you always this…moody?" I asked, somewhat amused. She gives me an accusing look, as if to dare me to explain. "One minute your fine, the other you're not. Your emotions are very imbalanced."

Her only response is an eye roll, so I change the subject.

"You know Rose; I can provide you protection from Adrian after he takes his place in my coven." This catches her attention, but she doesn't look over to me. "You can become…my bride." She tenses up, and looks over to me with her scrutinizing gaze, to see whether if I was joking or not.

"I assure you Roza, it's no joking matter." I told her seriously.

She groans. "You did it again, didn't you? Don't read my mind, it's a privacy matter." She glares at me before continuing. "And yes, Dimitri, it is a joke. You know why, because unlike it Vladimir's time, people don't marry after one conversation. Note that conversation isn't weighing in the guy's favor. Also I don't need your damn protection; I'm a strong independent w– ah!" She screams as I grab her arm and toss her on the other side of the bed, hovering over her but only a slice of air was between us. Her arms are trapped above her head and every time she breathes her large breast brush against her chest.

"For a strong independent women, you scream like a girl." I said with a smirk. I lean down to brush my lips against her, she doesn't respond to the kiss, only glares at me.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" I asked, genuinely concerned. I was careful and gentle; I'd always be with her.

"Physical, no. Mentally, emotionally, hell yes!" She said and pushed me away. "Now get off me you psycho vamp." I move off her but if I'd really wanted I could have stayed in that position forever. I wouldn't mind, but at the same time I wanted to give her, her freedom. God knows she didn't have that with that boy down stairs.

Just as I'm about to retort, the door slams open. We both turn to look at the petite blond girl that's in the threshold. Her shiny lips turned down in a slight frown, her green eyes looking accusingly at me and softening when turning to Rose.

"You didn't hurt her did you?" She asked worriedly while storming into the room and checking up on Rose. "Are you alright?"

"Lissa, I'm fine." Rose said. "Dimitri wasn't hurting me, at least in the way you think." She said casting me a dirty look, which only evokes a smirk from me. Rose then regards Lissa, making sure she isn't the one hurt. I know Christian wouldn't let Tasha touch Lissa; he treats her as a queen. Only thing Lissa has on her is a bit of smeared blood on her elbow.

Rose looked at the blood with a saddened expression. "Are they…uhm…are they…" Sensing what Rose is trying to say, Lissa nods with a sad expression and looks over to the door.

"Tasha killed the two and Adrian killed the last girl." From looking into Lissa's mind I could see the images replay themselves. How Tasha killed the two girls and shortly after we left the last girl couldn't stop screaming so Adrian took a knife and stabbed her to death. Blood's on Lissa because she tried to save the last girl, as the appetite was gone.

"Anyways," Lissa said breaking the silence. "What were you two doing up here?" She asked, with a playful smile on her lips. She wasn't so serious now that she knew Rose was okay and I wasn't up here slaughtering her. She walked around the bed and stared the two of us down.

"Just getting to details of my boyfriend's strange behavior." Rose said. "I learned all this only an hour ago. And for someone who just learned of vampire's existence and had three girls brutally murdered in my living room, I think I'm taking this pretty well." Rose said with much sarcasm. Lissa gives her a pitiful look and turns to me.

"It's almost midnight; I think we should be heading out by now." Lissa said and looked over to Rose. "Did he tell you, about the banquet?"

"I just heard that he was going to be turned." Rose said, I can tell she was uncomfortable by the subject. This still hasn't completely sunk in yet, the idea of her abusive boyfriend becoming an even more inhumane, and stronger was a frightening aspect. If she would consider my offer, it'd be out of pure fear for her life.

"The banquet, it's a celebration of new members. Humans not allowed. That includes me, and you." Lissa said. "I'm sure Dimitri can explain more, right Dimitri?" I nod and Lissa dismisses herself.

"What do I do now?" She asked her voice hopeless and frightful. I pull her to me, her head resting on my chest. She doesn't fight me, and for one moment let's someone protect her – even if it's only for a moment.

"I can protect you, Roza." I tell her while stroking her long dark hair that fell in a thick dark waterfall down her back. Whether she wanted a relationship or not, I'd still protect her. But after my little plan, she won't need protecting. "I will protect you."

She breathes deeply and pulls away enough to look me in the eyes. "At what cost?"

Till next time…